BioWorks expands biological toolbox to address evolving greenhouse challenges

Greenhouse growers continue to face increasing pressure from pest and disease resistance, rising production costs, and abiotic stress. Dr. Michael Brownbridge, Senior Technical Services Manager at BioWorks, says the company’s research is focused on developing biological tools that integrate into greenhouse production systems while addressing these challenges.

Current work includes liverwort and moss control in nursery and ornamental crops, where these weeds can restrict water and nutrient movement into containers and manual removal may damage roots. “A product that controls these unique ‘weeds’ without affecting plant quality and marketability will be an important tool for nurseries and ornamental greenhouses across North America,” he says.

Trials with Hoplite, a potassium salt of fatty acids formulation, have produced encouraging results. In poinsettias, a single high-rate application achieved near-complete liverwort control within 14 days without damaging the crop.

Similar success was observed in Artichoke Agave, where both spray and sprench applications at the 12.8 oz rate provided excellent liverwort control, while the sprench treatment also delivered superior moss control. Crop safety evaluations across more than 30 plant species found only minor injury on a single variety, with no injury observed on new growth.

Research focuses on integrated pest and stress management
Dr Brownbridge says growers continue to face significant challenges managing aphids, thrips, spider mites, powdery mildew, Botrytis and root rots. Resistance development, rising production costs and worker health and safety considerations are increasing demand for biological products with shorter restricted-entry intervals that fit within integrated plant health management programs.

Abiotic stress is also becoming a greater concern. “Plants exposed to heat and other environmental stresses are often more susceptible to disease, and growers are looking for products that improve stress tolerance while supporting plant health throughout production and distribution,” he explains.

BioWorks’ research pipeline reflects these priorities. PRINCIPLE, a Beauveria bassiana-based bioinsecticide, is being evaluated for compatibility with tank-mix and rotational partners to optimise efficacy, resistance management and overall program performance. Meanwhile, ON-Gard, a protein hydrolysate plant nutrition product, has demonstrated consistent improvements in plant tolerance to and recovery from heat stress. Additional trials are assessing new active ingredients and formulation technologies to expand biological performance and compatibility within integrated production programs.

Portfolio expansion broadens biological options
© BioWorks Alongside Hoplite, BioWorks has introduced several products designed to strengthen greenhouse crop protection programs.

Photo right: Dr Michael Brownbridge

TotalNema Ax suppresses plant-parasitic nematodes to support healthier root systems, while BioNex targets key insect and mite pests through a biological mode of action compatible with integrated pest management and resistance management programs. Sandrine provides an organic-approved foliar disease control option based on copper octanoate, combining broad-spectrum activity with a four-hour restricted-entry interval while applying significantly less copper than conventional copper fungicides.

The company also plans to introduce ClearSite, a broad-spectrum herbicide that provides a softer weed management option, and Mollux, a slug and snail bait developed for high-moisture greenhouse and nursery environments. In addition, BioWorks is evaluating monosilicic acid products together with microbe- and plant-derived biostimulants aimed at improving nutrient uptake, water-use efficiency and crop resilience under fluctuating environmental conditions.

Grower feedback guides innovation
He adds that greenhouse production is becoming increasingly cost-sensitive as resistance, environmental variability and operational pressures continue to grow.

“Customer feedback directly shapes our R&D priorities. Our trials increasingly focus on real-world grower use patterns, including compatibility studies, product performance within integrated programs and economic performance under commercial production conditions.”

Dr Brownbridge expects biological solutions to play an even greater role in controlled environment agriculture as growers increasingly integrate beneficial insects, mites, nematodes and microbial biocontrol agents into production systems. Combined with continued advances in biopesticides, biostimulants and disease-resistant crop genetics, these technologies are expected to reduce reliance on conventional chemistries while helping growers manage resistance, improve crop performance and support safer production environments.

For more information:
BioWorks
https://bioworksinc.com